Tuesday, December 18, 2012

5 Ways to Survive the Dreaded Long Shift


Keep Busy

     I’ve already detailed how in a previous post, but keeping busy is the best way to make the time go by faster.

Avoid Looking at the Time.
     
     This one’s a killer. Like they say, “a watched pot never boils,” and that holds especially true for working retail. This has been sort of a mantra for me as I’ve worked retail over the years. The more you stare at the time, the crazier you’ll get, and the less energy and motivation you’ll have to finish the shift.

Eat Something

     You need energy to make it through the day, and something with protein in it works great. Even if you can’t afford to get 5 Guys from the food court, at least bring some sort of snack that you can munch on as the day goes by. Also, keep hydrated, or else you’re going to be crashing even harder.

Interact with Customers

     Just like keeping busy, interacting with customers is essential for making the shift go by quicker. Whether it’s looking for an item, or just shooting the breeze, customers are great for helping to make the time in between your breaks go by faster.

Be Comfortable

     If you’re irritated, you’re not going to enjoy the next 7 and a half hours you have left on the clock. Like I mentioned in the Black Friday post, wear comfortable shoes.  But not only shoes, wear comfortable clothes.  Obviously adhere to whatever dress code you may have, but do so in a way that lets you get through the shift without having to pull up your pants every 5 seconds. 

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